New Agents Needed for Therapy of Neuropathy in Cancer Patients- Is AL-309 the Agent?

Implications: Cancer patients frequently develop neuropathy as a results of chemotherapy agents including oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, vinca alkaloids, and Velcade.  Because many such patients have extended survival or receive treatment with curative intent, the resultant neuropathy can limit quality of life significantly.  New agents are much needed for the prevention and treatment of neuropathy.   

Analysis: Pre-clinjcal studies indicate that AL-309 is an oral agent with potential neuroprotective activity that can limit the development of neuropathy.  Current treatments including Gabapentin are suboptimal and the market potential in cancer patients and diabetic patients alone is immense.  Unfortunately, the absence of any clinical activity or toxicity profile for this agent make it difficult to predict its effectiveness, but a novel mechanism of action and need for new agents in this class make this an agent to watch.